Updates on the 2009 U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis!

They called him one of the best closers of all time in St. Louis Cardinals history. But today, his opening game was hard enough – on the chess board.

Over his major league baseball career as a hard-throwing reliever, Todd Worrell has pitched over 256 saves. Today, celebrating the opening of the U.S. Chess Championship, Worrell came out of the bull-pen with his aggressive, high-speed burners. However, this time it was a bishop screaming off the mound.

Yet the four time All-Pro cornerback and free safety acknowledges that improving his chess game involves the a lot of mental determination. The athletes’ genuine sense of competition was evident as Rex Sinquefield and Tony Rich coached them through the moves that Grand Masters make.

Lest you think that professional chess is only for the professionals, meet 10 year old Margaret Hua. Already one of the highest ranked chess players in the US, Margaret is shattering old molds of what it takes to be the best in St. Louis. KETC Living St. Louis Producer Ruth Ezell offers visitors an insider’s look at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.